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MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC OPERATING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Academic Operating Policy and Procedure (AOP) is to establish an understanding of the freshman entrance requirements at Mississippi State University.

REVIEW

This AOP will be reviewed every five years or earlier if circumstances require a review by the Undergraduate Admissions Policy Committee with recommendations for revision presented to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

In addition to conducting a periodic review of university admissions policy, the Undergraduate Admissions Policy Committee (UAPC) will provide institutional-wide coordination for all new program admissions policies and procedures that are different than those of general admissions. The UAPC also provides advice on awarding AP, CLEP, etc. and other types of requested credit, as well as advice on any admissions issues.

The Office of Admissions has the responsibility for administering the admission requirements. Applicants may meet general admission requirements to the University but may not meet the requirements for a specific program, department, and/or college. Applicants must contact the academic unit in which they wish to major to learn of additional admission requirements.

1. Regular Admission. Freshman applicants for regular admission may be admitted to Mississippi State University provided the following requirements are met:

2. Admission with Deficiencies. If the initial review indicates inadequate readiness in English, reading, or mathematics, Mississippi students will be required to participate in counseling and testing, which will be held on campus (and other designated locations) prior to the beginning of the summer session. Students who successfully complete the counseling and testing program will be admitted to the university, with the requirement that they participate in the yearlong Academic Support Program.   Mississippi students who fail to successfully complete the counseling and testing program may be given admission with the requirement that they enroll in the Summer Development Program. This is an intensive program that concentrates on those high school subject areas (writing, reading, and mathematics) essential to success in first-year college courses. Students who successfully complete this summer program will be allowed to continue in the fall term, with mandatory participation in the Academic Support Program during their freshman year. Developmental courses taken during the Summer Developmental Program neither count toward a degree nor are computed in a student’s grade point average.

Students who fail to successfully exit the Summer Development Program will be counseled to explore other post-secondary opportunities.

A student athlete must meet the requirements of the Southeastern Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

4 units of mathematics are recommended for Engineering majors, to include Trigonometry.

Mississippi State University neither awards credit nor accepts transfer-college-credit based solely on the ACT, SAT, or other comparable tests commonly administered to high school students primarily for college admissions purposes. Documents and other proof that students have met the University entrance requirements are kept on file in the MSU Admissions Office.

3. Early Admission. A superior secondary school student may be admitted to the freshman class as an EARLY ADMISSION if he or she (a) has earned a minimum of fifteen (15) acceptable credits, (b) has earned a standard composite ACT score of 25 or an SAT combined score of 1130, (c) ranks in the upper twenty-five (25) percent of his or her high school class, and (d) is recommended for early admission in a letter from his or her high school principal.

4. Special Program for Academically Talented Students (SPATS). Academically talented students who (a) have finished at least their junior year in high school, as judged by their high school officials, (b) in the judgment of parents and high school administrators are mature enough to profit from a summer’s work in college, and (c) have a standard composite minimum score of 25 on the American College test, may apply for admission to a special summer program in which they may earn regular college credit.

A SPATS student may take a maximum of 6 credit hours (two courses) each summer term, selected from a list available for credit under this program. Courses taken must not be the equivalent of those which the student will take in the senior year of high school. Students are expected to return to high school and finish a normal senior year. The courses may not be substituted for high school credits to meet college admission requirements. Credit is reserved until the student has graduated from high school. Information concerning the program and application forms may be obtained by writing to: SPATS, Box 5247, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

5. Admission by Examination. An applicant who has not graduated from high school may substitute the General Educational Development Test (high school level) for the requirement of high school graduation. The GED will substitute for the requirement of high school graduation only, and not for the other requirements for freshman admission. Therefore, applicants who took the GED must submit an acceptable ACT/SAT score. Applicants who hold the GED and who cannot meet other requirements for freshman admission may enroll at Mississippi State as transfers after meeting the normal requirements for transfer admission from another regionally accredited institution.

6. Home Schooled. Home School applicants are required to meet the same requirements as other freshman applicants. Official ACT/SAT scores and transcripts (or portfolios) are required.

7. Special Non-Degree Classification. An applicant who is at least twenty-one (21) years old and who does not meet the regular freshman admission requirements, may apply to the Admissions Office for acceptance into the Special Non-Degree (SND) student category. Students in this category will be advised by and will schedule classes through the University Academic Advising Center. Applicants must demonstrate adequate preparation for the classes they plan to schedule. SND students may schedule a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours during a regular term and three (3) semester hours during a five-week summer term. To move from the SND status, students should satisfactorily complete twelve (12) semester hours with a C or better average in core courses that are applicable to a degree at MSU. Students wishing to gain reclassification to a traditional major should discuss this during their initial meeting with one of the professional advisors in the University Academic Advising Center. For students admitted to a degree program, a maximum of eighteen (18) semester hours of credit earned while in the SND classification may be counted toward a baccalaureate degree, pending approval by the dean of the college or school from which the degree is sought.

Degree seeking adult applicants with previous college attendance must meet regular transfer student requirements and, therefore, may not apply for admission under the Special Non-Degree option.

Non-degree seeking adult applicants with previous college attendance who do not meet regular transfer requirements may be allowed to schedule courses for self improvement and/or job enhancement. Applicants should file a letter of intent with the Director of Admissions to enroll under this option.

8. International Baccalaureate. Applicants holding the International Baccalaureate are considered for freshman admission the same as other applicants holding a regular high school diploma. Graduates scoring 5 and above on the higher level IB External Examination may be considered for advance standing credit. Credit is subject to approval by the academic department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

                                Rev. 06/02/03
Approved 09/18/03

                  AOP 12.29

For information about this policy, contact the responsible/reviewing department hyperlinked above.